A day after the International Mother Language Day celebrations in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep concern over efforts by divisive forces to label Bangla speakers as “illegal infiltrators.” She vowed to continue her fight against any threats to Bengal’s culture and identity.
While not naming any specific group, Banerjee’s remarks seemed directed at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), known for its stance on illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators in West Bengal. She emphasized the importance of preserving Bengal’s heritage amidst rising intolerance and narrow-minded politics.
Highlighting the linguistic diversity of West Bengal and India, Banerjee stressed the need for equal respect for all languages, including Bangla. She underscored the unity in diversity, noting that each language embodies the history and aspirations of its speakers, which is a source of strength for the nation.
Banerjee expressed dismay at the attempts to stigmatize Bengali speakers as illegal infiltrators, emphasizing that such actions contradict constitutional values. She reiterated her commitment to safeguarding Bengal’s culture, heritage, and identity from intolerance and divisive politics.
